Gang-rape survivor attempts suicide in court after case is adjourned

Ahmedabad: In Delhi today, as a committee of legal experts stressed the need to introduce speedy trials for rape victims, in Gujarat, an alleged gang-rape survivor tried to commit suicide at court after the hearing in her case was adjourned to next month.

The woman drank poison at a city court in Ahmedabad and was rushed to hospital, where doctors say she is not in critical condition.

Her legal battle began in 2007. She alleges that she was raped in April 2007 by her employer and his friends at a garment factory, and that when she tried to file a police case in October that year, the police refused. She then asked a court to intervene.

On various occasions, the police told the court that her allegations did not check out. In 2010, the court rejected the police's arguments and asked for a fresh inquiry along with all medical documents. Since then, there has been little progress in her case.

A three-member committee headed by Justice JS Verma today submitted its recommendations to the government on how to amend sexual assault laws to protect women. The committee was appointed by the government amid massive protests and public anger over the gang-rape of a medical student on a bus in Delhi. She died in December from the monstrous injuries inflicted on her during her assault by six men.

Justice Verma called for speedy justice and the setting of a time frame to deal with cases of crimes against women.(with inputs from PTI)